Fulford pumping station planning application submitted
A planning application has been submitted in a major step forward for the development of a £5.3 million joined-up plan for Fulford flood defences.
The project will see a pumping station built to isolate high river levels in the River Ouse from Germany Beck and Tunnel Drain. This would directly protect 43 properties from current flood risks and the impacts of climate change, ensure that more than 300 properties are able to access Fordlands Road and add further resilience to the A19 flood works safeguarding more than 16,000 daily journeys on the A19 in times of flood.
Local councillor Keith Aspden has long campaigned with local residents to secure funding for additional flood defences in Fulford. Last year’s Council budget proposals agreed a £2 million investment in the delivery of a joined up flood scheme, which in total has unlocked a £5.3 million budget made up from Council’s capital funding, the Environment Agency and Defra.
Since then, design works, a wide range of surveys and assessments have taken place on the chosen site to bring together the evidence necessary to submit a planning application. Residents are now encouraged to comment on the application before the planning application is decided.
The information regarding the application is available in the Council’s planning portal online using the application number 23/00283/FUL. Any comments can be submitted using the link until the 15th March.
Liberal Democrat local councillor for Fulford and Heslington, Cllr Keith Aspden, commented:
“The frequent floods over many years continue to highlight the need for an improved and joined-up flood plan for Fulford. This plan must protect Germany Beck as well as the Fordlands Road and Fordlands Crescent communities, in addition to the thousands of motorists on the A19. I am delighted that a £5.3 million funding package has been drawn together to make this crucial campaign a reality.
“Alongside local residents and parish councillors, I have campaigned for years to deliver a solution for the benefit of the whole local community. Extensive work has taken place to get to this point where a planning application is now submitted. This is a major step towards delivering a solution which will protect hundreds of properties in the area, finally ending the significant challenges that frequent floods have brought to our community.
“As the project now enters the planning stages, local resident feedback will be crucial, so further local meetings to update residents on the progress of the project will take place over the next few months and I encourage residents to get involved and give their views."